The Effect of 0.05D Interval Precise Refraction on Small-Incision Lenticule Extraction Surgery: A Retrospective Study...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Corneal Surgery

Background:

• Small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a popular refractive surgery procedure.
• The precision of preoperative manifest refraction can influence surgical outcomes.
• Investigating optimal refractive correction intervals is crucial for enhancing visual quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the postoperative visual quality of patients undergoing SMILE.
• To evaluate the impact of different spherical trial lens intervals (0.05D vs. 0.25D) in preoperative manifest refraction.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 196 eyes (0.05D intervals) and 194 eyes (0.25D intervals).
• Manifest refraction was performed using either 0.05D or 0.25D spherical lens intervals.
• Postoperative outcomes including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and manifest refraction were assessed at 1-day, 1-week, and 1-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in UDVA or spherical equivalent (SE) was observed between the groups at 1-month follow-up (P=0.602 and P=0.898).
• A higher proportion of patients in the 0.05D group achieved UDVA >0.0 (P=0.067).
• Patients with moderate myopia in the 0.05D group had significantly thinner maximum lenticule thickness (P=0.019).

Conclusions:

• Manifest refraction with 0.05D spherical lens intervals yields comparable postoperative visual quality to 0.25D intervals in SMILE.
• The 0.05D interval may result in reduced corneal tissue removal during SMILE, particularly in moderate myopia cases.